Now, a team that has persevered through adversity finds itself once again without a leader, and a district that had hoped to find a solution here is left with more to deal with now.

Since October, three different men have occupied the now-vacant position of Verona head football coach. First was longtime head coach Lou Racioppe, who was removed following an investigation by administrators over his interaction with players. While Racioppe was placed on administrative leave during the investigation, Ray Bowes stepped in at an interim level. Bowes led the Hillbillies to five straight wins to end the 2017 regular season.

“We’ve lived in three states in less than 18 months,” Sorrentino told NorthJersey.com in February. “We’re home. Being back with family and friends in New Jersey is very important to us.”

Yet, Sorrentino is already gone from Verona after only introducing himself to players and parents. It's difficult to fault someone given an opportunity to provide a better life for his family, but the quick shift startled many.

Verona's administration

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As blindsided as they might have been, Verona school officials should hold some accountability here. When candidates are vetted for a position, especially one with the résumé Sorrentino has, moving on to a higher-profile position is only a matter of time. It was the main sticking point for critics of the hiring: the young Sorrentino would be wooed away by the first offer presented to him.

Verona Superintendent Rui Dionisio (left) and Board of Education President John Quattrocchi (right) are among administrators facing opposition in the wake of the Lou Racioppe investigation.(Photo: Owen Proctor/NorthJersey.com)

Fairly or unfairly, the administration is hearing it from critics over Sorrentino's move. Then again, the same administrators have come under fire since the entire ordeal started back in October. Conspiracy theories have sprung up over time, which only serves to muddy the waters. The administration decided to hire outside of the entire situation, passing over assistant coaches who applied for the vacancy. The move makes sense for public relations purposes, but given the ultimate result, only makes things look worse.

Outcry poured in that two assistant coaches who applied may not have been considered. However, information from people close to the hiring process confirm that both assistants made it to the final rounds of consideration. With the job now posted once again, will the candidates who missed out get another chance?

Verona community

It's fair to say some areas of the Verona community played a role in this as well.

Verona Hillbilly fan Robert Frungillo speaks in support of football head coach Lou Racioppe, who was recently relieved of his duties.(Photo: Owen Proctor/NorthJersey.com)

It's unfair to believe Sorrentino was driven out before coaching a game by the public reaction to his hiring, but it's safe to assume that it could have played a role. The decisions being made aren't coming from the community, but the reaction from people is being felt throughout Verona athletics.

In the time Sorrentino held the position, another Verona head coaching job became available. That was the job of Jeff Stiefbold, head volleyball coach. Steifbold did not have an investigation regarding his conduct and no survey results were necessary to be revealed. Like most high school coaches, Stiefbold is hired from year to year by the district. Stiefbold, along with his assistant and brother Scott Stiefbold, were told they would not be brought back in 2018. This wouldn't be significant had the brothers not led Verona to consecutive group final appearances, winning the program's first group title last November.

So why are the Stiefbold brothers gone? According to discussion with multiple sources, the district informed the coach about murmurs from the community that would have made coaching difficult for the brothers. The district, in turn, is sparing the greatest volleyball coach in school history from the wrath of unhappy parents. Now, a coaching staff that had a combined record of 63-3 in the past two seasons is gone.

The poise shown by these football players has been impressive. The next coach of Verona football will hopefully be as qualified and stay much longer, but not for any other reason than to award the players with a deserving football coach.